Table and Bar

Brooklyn Street Local goes Italian for pop-up series

Just back from his latest trip to Italy, Brooklyn Street Local chef/co-owner Jason Yates is transforming the diner kitchen into "Cucina Michigese" this month.

In a two-night pop-up series, Yates will celebrate Michigan ingredients using Italian preparation, based off his time working with Cristiano del Falco, head chef at the Lemon Tree House, a writers and artists residency in Tuscany. The duo learned cooking techniques that cater to guests with dietary restrictions.

The first dinner (Dec. 12), Senza Glutino, is a five-course, gluten-free menu, featuring venison involtini, pasta carbonara with pork belly, and a farinata with oxtail ragu.

The second pop-up (Dec. 19), Basta Pasta, will feature an all-pasta tasting menu, which is still being developed.

Of his experience learning to create special needs menus: "There were vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and lacto free guests – we had to approach Italian food from a non-traditional perspective and without having access to specialized ingredients. What we came up with was Italian food that was a little more modern and inclusive. It seemed like a fun and natural thing to bring back to Michigan."

Tickets go for $40 per person, with 10 percent of sales being donated to Gleaners Food Bank. Both events will have two seatings, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.